A state Senator from northwest Iowa who has criticized “frivolous” lawsuits has filed a lawsuit of his own — over a dog bite. Republican Senator Ron Wieck (wick) of Sioux City says it happened when he was campaigning door-to-door last summer. Wieck says a coon dog charged out of Delray Goulette’s house in Pierson, jumped on him, and bit him. The bite allegedly caused an injury to Wieck’s groin area. Wieck is suing, asking the dog’s owner to pay for medical expenses and for the clothes that were ruined. Wieck also wants punitive damages. He’s asking to be compensated for the pain, suffering, anxiety and humiliation he suffered as a result of the bite. Wieck was elected to his first term in the Senate last fall, and this past spring he was the floor manager of legislation that sought to limit the amount of money Iowans can win in such cases. The bill also would have made it harder for those who file lawsuits to prove they should get punitive damages. Wieck has not responded to Radio Iowa’s request for an interview.
